Crew on a Brussels Airlines flight from Daka to Belgium had to help deliver a baby girl midflight, with the aid of a newly qualified nurse and a doctor on the plane
A plane at 37,000 feet suddenly gained an extra passenger when a mother gave birth thanks to a member of the cabin crew and a doctor and nurse on board.
The Brussels Airline flight had left Dakar in West Africa when the woman said she was in severe pain. Flight attendant Jennifer Joie realised the cramps were contractions and notified the cockpit and then put out a message for anyone who could help.
Luckily for the mum to be, a doctor and a nurse were among the passengers and were able to help. The little bundle of joy, named Fanta, was welcomed safely into the world before the plane reached Belgium.
Brussels Airlines wrote on Facebook, alongside an image of Jennifer with the little baby: “Meet baby Fanta! Born mid-flight from Dakar to Brussels
“Shortly after takeoff, our incredible cabin crew Jennifer, along with a newly graduated nurse and a doctor on board, helped bring this little bundle of joy into the world. It was a true reflection of teamwork, care, and the extraordinary moments that happen in the sky. Welcome to the world, little Fanta! We hope to have you on board again one day.”
Several people shared their own congratulations to the new mum. One said: “Congratulations madam for your lovely baby girl, I hope you are now feeling ok and safe, and that you will have some well deserved rest.”
Another added: “Whenever I’m on flights throughout the world into vacation, I get a thrill when asked out for a nurse. I’m in vacation mood but of course I would help but this would be the most incredible and overwhelming help I could do.”
Another wondered what the nationality the baby would be, having been born midflight. They added: “Legally, what will be the nationality of that baby ? Really wondering, but congratulations to the flight crew members for this courageous act and for the mother to have been strong enough.”
One more, a former member of the cabin crew, said: “When I started working as a flight attendant, I hoped one day this would happen to me. But in 23 years it didn’t.”